PRIMER
What’s the latest on the World Handicap System?
Our resident WHS expert marks your card on what you might have missed – and what you need to know – about the latest updates
The advent of the World Handicap System was one of the biggest changes in club and amateur golf for decades.
It’s now approaching five years since its introduction in Great Britain & Ireland and it continues to generate lively debate within clubhouses up and down the four home nations.
PGA Professionals and Managers are often the first point of contact when it comes to handicap-related enquiries. Whether they are administering competitions, dealing with committees, or just answering questions, they are often in demand when there is a query.
But what have been the latest developments? What do you need to know – both about WHS and how it’s being implemented?
What is the World Handicap System – and how does it work?
If you play golf, and submit scores, you’ll have a World Handicap System index. This is an average-based calculation and it’s worked out using the best eight scoring differentials out of the last 20 scores.
Key is the Course Rating system. Course Raing evaluates the difficulty of playing a golf course for scratch players under expected course and weather conditions. The Bogey Rating does the same for golfers measured around the 20-handicap mark for men and 24 for women.
Then there is the Slope Rating. This figure indicates the relative difficulty of a course for those bogey golfers, compared to scratch golfers.
When we play a round, we measure our Handicap Index against the Slope of the course using the tees we intend to play. That gives us a Course Handicap.
For those a competition or a match, a Course Handicap is converted into a Playing Handicap. This is determined by the format being played and the allowance that’s applicable. The Playing Handicap only affects the competition. It does not reflect the scoring differential which goes into a handicap record.
Players gain a Handicap Index by submitting scores for 54 holes. This can be done in combinations of 9-hole and 18-hole rounds. The maximum handicap allowed is 54.0.
Scores need to be ‘acceptable’. This means they are played over an authorised format of play, over a minimum number of holes, to the Rules of Golf, in company of at least one other player, and certified prior to submission.
The WHS is now in place more than 140 countries and provides golfers with a unified measure of playing abilities.
What has happened since the introduction of WHS?
There was a review of the Rules of Handicapping in 2024, which brought in several changes to the World Handicap System. These included the introduction of Course Rating minus Par in GB&I, which is an adjustment for the difference between the Course Rating and the Par of the course being played.
Other subtle changes since 2020 have included tweaks to the Playing Conditions Calculation, which looks at whether playing conditions experienced differ from normal conditions to an extent where an adjustment is required.
Since the introduction of the WHS, and alongside the Covid boom, participation rates have soared. More than nine million competitive rounds were recorded in 2024, while the number of general play scores submitted was only narrowly under five million.
“This campaign will provide PGA Members with material to guide golfers and promote good practices, which in turn will ensure fairness.”
Why is there an awareness campaign going on in GB&I?
The R&A, in conjunction with the home unions and supported by The PGA, launched a campaign to highlight the responsibilities of players and clubs under the Rules of Handicapping.
Though the system has been in place since late 2020, there remains challenges within GB&I. A particular concern is the perception of manipulation. The campaign aims to tackle this issue by helping golfers, managers, and club professionals recognise what actions might breach the Rules of Handicapping.
Clubs should have received e-newsletters, including a player and club ‘flipbook’. These each highlight five key responsibilities, both for golfers and for club handicap committees.
Golfers are reminded to pre-register scores and not be selective about those they submit, as well as acting with honesty and integrity and not circumventing the rules to gain an advantages.
Committees, meanwhile, are asked to ensure their players are submitting scores in accordance with the rules, while conducting regular reviews of member handicap indexes to ensure they are reflective of ability.
Robert Maxfield, Chief Executive of The PGA, said: “PGA Members are often central to upholding the integrity of the World Handicap System at the club level. Your role as educators and advisors is crucial in helping golfers understand use the WHS correctly.
“This campaign will provide PGA Members with material to guide golfers and promote good practices, which in turn will ensure fairness.”
Grant Moir, The R&A’s Executive Director of Governance, said: “We are well aware that PGA Members are often the first port of call for queries from club members on the WHS and this awareness campaign addresses many of the questions that are frequently raised.
“We don’t think there are many golfers abusing the system to gain an unfair advantage but we recognise that even if a small number are doing so then it can impact on the enjoyment of competition golf and negatively impacts on golfer opinion of the WHS.”
What is set to come?
Last year, a global survey was carried out to gather feedback from golfers and those who administer the system at club level. The R&A and USGA received more than 70,000 responses and it helped the former with their awareness campaign.
The results will also be instructive ahead of the next review of the Rules of Handicapping in 2028.
Who can I turn to if I have a WHS query?
Clubs and Professionals needing help on a WHS issue should firstly contact their governing body’s Club Support Officer before escalating, if required, to their County’s Regional Handicap Advisor. If all these routes prove fruitless, they can get in touch with the relevant governing body’s handicap team for advice and assistance.